Matt Papiernik's Mock Draft: Steelers Get Much Needed Help In Secondary And Up Front On Offense, But Not In The Way You'd Expect

The 2023 NFL Draft is just a few days away, and in a blink, the Pittsburgh Steelers will again be on the clock in the first round with the 17th overall pick, or so we think. The Steelers have been very busy this offseason, which while uncharacteristic for them, has filled many of the holes the team had entering free agency. Below is my official 2023 Mock Draft for the Steelers, which would address just about every hole they have. This mock draft is done based on who I believe will realistically be there at each pick. 

17th Overall Selection - Steelers Select Brian Branch, S, Alabama

Deciding where the team will go with their first round selection was super clear each of the last two seasons, but this year it is muddier than ever. Overall I think the top tackles will be off the board, so unless they trade up I doubt they reach for one here. Brian Branch is a great pickup here as he can be a day one starter. He has a vast amount of experience in the slot and can provide the team with some much needed versatility on the back end of their defense. Plus, both Mike Tomlin and Omar Khan were at Alabama's Pro Day, and we know how important that aspect is to the team's first round choices. 

32nd Overall Selection - Steelers Select Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia

I am definitely going to get some backlash for this selection, but Darnell Washington is likely to be sitting there waiting for someone to select him at the top of the second round. The Steelers might miss out on getting their left tackle in the first round, so getting a tight end that can block like a tackle would be a nice consolation prize. Washington is a great blocker, but is also a very explosive athlete with potential to break loose with the ball in his hands. The Steelers had him in as one of their pre-draft visits, the only tight end they brought in actually, so he definitely has their attention. 

49th Overall Selection - Steelers Select Cody Mauch, OL, North Dakota State

While the team missed out on a tackle early here, getting Cody Mauch in round 2 would be a nice snag. There are questions around what position Mauch will end up playing in the NFL, as many believe his arm length paired with some troublesome pass blocking technique could force him to move inside instead of remaining at left tackle. Whether he ends up moving inside or sticking on the edge, he likely would be best served being "red shirted" for a year due to the jump in competition, going from the FCS to the NFL. They brought him in on a pre-draft visit, and the potential versatility across multiple positions are both positive signs for him ending up in the Black & Gold.

80th Overall Selection - Steelers Select Jaquelin Roy, DL, LSU

Earlier in the offseason I was all aboard the draft a defensive lineman early campaign. I have slightly backed off of that, as the team re-signed Larry Ogunjobi and added a couple depth pieces. Still, there needs to be some added youth and talent there. In slides Jaquelin Roy, who might have as much upside physically as anyone in this draft class. Roy has had inconsistent playing time until his last season for the Tigers, but consistently has displayed the physical skills to be a consistent game wrecker. Learning alongside Cam Heyward and Ogunjobi would be great for his career, and he could develop into the next dominate defensive lineman for the Steelers for years to come. 

120th Overall Selection - Steelers Select Charlie Jones, WR, Purdue

Yes, I know the team signed Allen Robinson, but there is still much unknowns in the Steelers' wide receiver room. There is also a big unknown at the returner spot, since Steve Sims signed with the Houston Texans during free agency. Charlie Jones is a strictly slot wide receiver due to his size, but he has very good speed and athleticism to win both off the snap and at the catch point. Pair that with him displaying high quality return skills and he is very much worth a mid-round pick. 

241st Overall Selection - Steelers Select Robert Beal Jr., EDGE, Georgia

Robert Beal Jr. has a very similar feel to Mark Robinson from last year. Both were fringe draft guys who the Steelers brought in for visits and seemed to like a lot. Beal should be able to provide some solid edge depth for the Steelers, and they could use it. Beal is far from a developed pass rusher who can play all three downs, but he does a very good job setting the edge against the run and shows a high motor. The pass rush skills can be developed, but his functional strength and motor give him a good chance to make an NFL roster as a late round pick. 

251st Overall Selection - Steelers Select Cameron Brown, CB, Ohio State

Many people will look at this draft and wonder why I waited until the seventh round to select a cornerback, especially when the Steelers definitely have high interest in the position. Well Branch, who I have the Steelers taking in the first round, is essentially a slot corner that can also play safety full time. So this in theory adds a second cornerback to the position group, and a very different on at that. Cameron Brown is definitely an outside corner as he has good length and good straight line speed. Brown has suffered injuries throughout his career and can be slow changing direction at times, but he has the needed skills to eventually carve out a role on the perimeter. 

Well there you have it, my official mock draft for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2023. Let me know below what you think, and where you think I went wrong with some of these selections in the comments below!

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